Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,801, Walter Fitch, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Fitch, Walter.
S. 16. 801.
Carded
CONTENTS

Cty of Westchester May 13. 1843
24970
New York
Walter Fitch of Onond Co. in the State of New York who was a Pr. & Artif. in the Comp y command by Captain Kolap of the Reg t command by Col — in the Mapachus or line for 1. months 12 days private 9 months artificer
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 58 Dollars 15 Cents per annu to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Mar 1834 and sent to H. S Page H.R.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar $175.95 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sep 34 29.32 $205 27
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Mo. Cromwell
Recorded by Book E Vol. 4 Page 10

FREE
12 May 1843 18 6
Hon J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington D C
Ms. B. 1. 21. 1

Otsego County N.Y.
Milford Centre May 9 1843
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Dear Sir
Walter Fitch a private in the Revolutionary Army a Pensioner, Certificate Recorded in the Pension Office in Book E Vol 4 page 108. Mr Fitch died in the fall of 1840 near the first of December I think 23 November what papers are necessary for the Widow to make out to draw his pension from the 4 th September to his death. Mr & Mrs Fitch were married about 1820. They had one child a daughter who is now some 21 years old - after paying off the debts of Mr Fitch and the Administrators fees and other charges there remained only some thing over $200, is there any law that would give them a right to a Pension for any time and if so from what time and how long I have not seen any law for it but one of the Administrators informed Mrs Fitch there was such a law
Mr Fitch paid for his papers being made in getting his pension $30. Mrs Fitch is poor and I have undertaken to do what I can in relation to her claims if any without any reward - please inform me on this subject Very Respectfully Your Obt Servt J Westcott

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act State of New York of Congress passed June 7th 1832 - County of ... On the fourth day of September A.D. 1832 personally appeared in Open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas held at the Court house in the village of Cooperstown in and for the County of Otsego Walter Fitch of the Town of Oneonta in the County of Otsego aforesaid aged seventy years on the twenty fourth day of September A.D. 1832 - who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 - That in the month of May A.D. 1781 the person hereby deposes not recollects in this deponent entered the service of the United States as an artificer in a company of Artificers commanded by Captain Stephen Clap - That this deponent was a cooper by trade - That this deponent then resided in the Town of Worthington in the County of Massachusetts and was listed as a private at Worthington aforesaid for the term of one year - That immediately after his enlistment he marched in said company to Pictskill in the State of New York where the said company joined the army com- manded by Genl. Howe - from thence to Kings Ferry and from thence to Yorktown in Virginia where was present at the Surrender of Lord Cornwallis and his army - That after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis this deponent re- turned to Newburgh in the State of New York where he remained till Febry 1781 at which time said place this deponent was discharged - together with the whole company - That he has no written discharge at this time and does not certainly recollect whether he was had a discharge in writing - That this deponent was in service during said campaign nine months and this deponent believes a few days more over including the time allowed for his return -
9th Artificer
And this deponent further saith that in the summer of the year 1778 this deponent entered as a volunteer in a company of Artificers commanded by

3 -
Col Benjamin Bonney at Nottingham as a prisoner in a Regiment commanded by Col afterwards General Porter. That this deponent marched in said Company & Regiment to New London in the State of Connecticut and assisted in completing Fort Freudenthal - That he stayed at New London and worked as a prisoner a little over two months - That he then returned to Nottingham in Massachusetts as a prisoner and was discharged by Col Porter. That no writing discharge was given and this deponent received no compensation for his services - That he was in service at that time three months including his going & returning -
That this deponent while in service as an prisoner in the Connecticut circuit Lord Cornwallis was to receive the custom for month pay of which was paid in cash (specie) and the remainder in Government security - which he afterwards sold for a Cash -
And the said Walter Fitch further declares that he was born in Norwich in the County of New London and State of Connecticut on the 29th day of September 1762 according to the best of his deponent's knowledge information and belief - That he has no record of his age - That this deponent removed with his father  to Nottingham when this deponent was about seven years old - when he resided till 1805 at which time he removed to Canaan in the State of New York where he resided till 1815 or 1816 at which time he removed to Milford in the County of Otsego in that part of said Town which is now Coeymans - and has resided & still resides in the said Town of Coeymans - That he has no documentary evidence of any of his aforesaid services and knows of no other evidence than is hereto annexed contained in the affidavits of Jonathan Allen and Rufus Tyler - That this deponent is known to Eleazar N. Fitch Esq of Coeymans Esq Esopus Esq and many other respectable men of the Town of Coeymans -

and he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to or interest in the premises and declares that his name is not on the premises roll of any agency of any State
Known and subscribed this 6th day of September AD 1833 in open Court Horace Lathrop Clerk
Walter Fitch
I answer to the several interrogations propounded by the respondents - The affiant further states  1 That he was born in Newark Connecticut on the 29th Sept 1762  2 That he has no record of his age -  3 That he was living in Wallingford Vermont at the time when called into service -  4 That he enlisted at one time and as a volunteer for other volunteer as having before stated  5 That he has often seen Genl Heath - Genl Washington Genl La Fayette & Col in Genl Putnam's Regiment - & many others - that he saw the British army march east after Lord Cornwallis surrender -  6 That he never had a written discharge - and never had a Commission -  7 That he is acquainted with Ebenezer D. Doolittle Esq Iva Garrison Esq & many other persons in Connecticut 
Subscribed & sworn in open Court this 6th day of Sept 1833
Walter Fitch
Horace Lathrop Clerk

Otsego County N.Y.
We Eliakim R Ford and the undersigned of the Town of Coeymans within the County of Otsego do certify that we are acquainted with Walter Fitch who has subscribed his name to the above declaration - that we reside in the Town of Coeymans aforesaid - that we believe him to be about seventy one years of age - that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion and that he sustains a good character for truth and integrity - and veracity -
Subscribed and sworn in open Court this 4th day of Sept AD 1833
Horace Lathrop Clerk
Eliakim R Ford J. D. M. M. M.
I David Sweet an Elder of the Baptist Church in the Town of Milford do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Walter Fitch who has subscribed his name to the above declaration - that I believe him to be seventy years old as he states - that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that I concur in that opinion - that he sustains a good moral character & is a man of truth and veracity -
Given this 6th day of September AD 1833
before me
Joseph Westcott Comr D.C.
David Sweet

Walter Fitch
NYD 52
43 French & Sylvester
Dec 1 - 1857

State of New-York. OTSEGO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.
I, SAMUEL NORTH, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify, that M c H. Branch Esquire, was, on the 22 d day of October 1851 a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Otsego, duly authorized to act as such, and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and that his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal of the said County, at Cooperstown, this 22 d day of Oct. 1851
Samuel North CLERK.

Whereas I. Dorcas Fitch, am the widow of Walter Fitch late of Otsego County deceased, who was a pensioner of the United States, at the rate of $58 65 per annum, allowed him for his services in the war of the Revolution, as an artificer, and advised, that I am entitled to an increase of his said pension, on account of his said services as an artificer.
Now therefore I do hereby constitute and appoint Henry H. Sylvester Esq. of the city of Washington, my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to present and prosecute my claim to such increased amount of pension as I may be by law entitled to.
Witness my hand and seal this 22 nd day of October A.D. 1851 Executed in presence of Timothy Cooke W th Branch
State of New York Otsego County - S.S. On this 22 nd day of October A.D. 1851, before me the subscriber, a justice of the Peace in and for said county personally appeared Dorcas Fitch, above named and to me known, and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her act and deed. W th Branch justice of the peace
State of New York Otsego County S.S. Dorcas Fitch of the Town of Milford in said county being duly sworn, doth depose that she is the widow of Walter Fitch, above named, who was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $58 65 per annum, and is now dead, and that she is directly interested in the claim and application about to be made for an increase of his said pension - Sworn to and subscribed this 22 nd day of October A.D. 1851 before me W th Branch justice of the peace

16801 INVALID.
am
File No. 16801
Walter Fitch
Pre vs Rev War
Act: June 7 th 39
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 126
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rev. New York Walter Fitch
Imperial as 17 p 32 letter 6 Jan. 34
to Henry Brown asms

I Josiah Morse of the Town of Mina in the County of Schenectady State of New York aged Seventy years depose say that in the month of or June May 1781. I enlisted into the Service of the United States as an Artificer in the company of Captain Stephen Olap. at Worthington in the County of Albany. I was mustered for One year and immediately Marched for Peekskill where we found the Army then commanded by General Heath. from whence we marched to Kings Ferry & from thence to York Town in Virginia and was at the Investment & capture of the Army of Lord Cornwallis at that place. after the Surrender of the British Army we returned to Newburg on the Hudson where we remained till the latter part of the Winter of 1782 when we were discharged. I believe more than 12 months. The deponent further says that he then was and now is acquainted with Walter Fitch of Vestal in the County of Otsego State of New York and that said Fitch enlisted into the same company with me at the same time and continued with & served the whole term as above stated & we were both discharged at the same time v Josiah Morse

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Hampshire County ss. June 18. 1833. Josiah Wood, came before me & subscribed the within affidavit and made oath that it is the truth and I testify that I have been acquainted with the deponent for thirty years that he formerly resided in this town and sustained a good character for truth
William Ward Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Hampshire ss. I, Solomon Stoddard Clerk of the Judicial Court of the Commonwealth for the County of Hampshire, do certify that William Ward Esquire whose signature is affixed to the above certificate was at the date thereof one of the Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Hampshire, duly Commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said William Ward and believe his signature above to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court at Common Pleas for said Commonwealth this nineteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
S. Stoddard. Clerk

[Handwritten signature or initials]
Henry Brown Esq. Cooperstown Otsego County N.Y.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Feby 3 d 1834.
* hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Walter Fitch, as a Private, is borne on a Pay Roll of Capt. Benjamin Bonney's Company, in Col. Porter's Regt., where he is allowed from July 21 st to August 27 th 1779, for services and travel, One Month and twelve days. — — — — — m d 1=12
Walter Fitch claims for further service under Capt. Bonney, Col. Porter's Regt. in 1779; the roll which he describes is not found in this Office. Edward D. Bump Ly

29.076 Walter Fitchs Application for Pension Onondaga Co. N.Y. New York
Henry Brown Agents Coopers-town Onondaga Co. N.Y.
Roll of Artificers
Alma 9 mo. artificer 1820s - pri. duty
M. Page

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states -- and the Court further certify that it appears to them that the said David Sweet who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clappman resident in the Town of Melrose in the County of Otsego and in the neighborhood of said applicant Walter Fitch and that Eliezer R Fitch and Israel Emmer who have also signed one of the above certificates are residents in the same Town and neighborhood and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. Dated Sept 6th 1833.
Robt. Moore
Seth Chase
J. C. Moore
Judges
State of New York
Otsego County - ss
I, Horace Lathrop, Clerk of said County, and Clerk of the said Court at Apper and Terminus, do hereby certify, that Joseph Westcott Esq. before whom the preceding Affidavit of David Sweet purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same a Commissioner of said Court, duly qualified and sworn to the faithful discharge of his duties, and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting, and hereby believe his name subscribed thereto to be his genuine signature. I further certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Walter Fitch for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and Official Seal, which has been adopted as the Seal of said Court, the 9th day September 1833.
Horace Lathrop, Clerk.

Sept 16.
Sept 17
Sept 18
Postage Henry Brown Confidential
Sept 19
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City
Union Office
Office
Sept 16

Cooperstown Otago 6th July. Sept 12. 1833.
Dear Sir.
I send for your consideration and decision the papers of Walter Setch of Oamaru in this country - Beg to give them your attention - You will perceive there is an original application - also that the authority of the West Coast to communicate with the South Island is contained in the B.O. at the end of the papers -
Yours respectfully
Henry Brown
Hon J. L. Eglinton
Canterbury

State of New York County of Madison
I Andrew G. Sloan Clerk of the county of Madison do certify that James B. Eldredge before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn. was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said county and that I am acquainted with his hand writing. and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper handwriting and signature -
Witness my hand & Seal of office this 31 st day of August 1833 -
A. G. Sloan - Clerk C. Barnard. Dep. clk